Cattle spray chute



Feb. 20, 1951 A. s. KNAPP 2,542,280

V CATTLE SPRAY CHUTE Filed Feb. 2l, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l y N" y N INVENTOR.

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fw #56mm Feb. 20, 1951 A, s, KNAPP 2,542,280

CATTLE SPRAY CHUTE Filed Feb. 2l, 1949 `i?) SheetS-Shelfl 2 T) INVENOR. a 4 6 andrew 5. Kw

Patented Feb. 20, 1951 UN ITED` STATES PATENT OF ICE.

CATTLE SPRAYv CHUTE" Andrew Si Knapp,` St. Louis, Mo.\. assigner to Knapp-Monarch'. 4 (l'ompanga. St'. Ilenia.A Mo'. a. corporation. Qfipelawa're v Applicationifebruaxy' I21, 1949, Serial No. 77,480

This invention. relates to a spray chute: for spraying cattle or other animals, the primary object of the invention being the complete.spraying of each animal automatically upon: its .entry into a chuteA or as' it passes through thechute.

One object of the invention is. vto provideza spraying operation that covers the animal-enftir-.elyI with thesprayed materia-l preferably directed against the4 grain of. the. animalfs hair or. fur. Another object ofthe inventioinisto providewa spray chute. which is. safe; to operatef, that is, permits thefanimal` to pass through. it.` without any danger of harming` the animal aS. Whensthey are forced to passl through adip tank, thussublwhich. eliminates all tendencyv `for the animal. to

luroh through the. chute or intoy or out4 of anpit if used, the animal' instead walking on atlevelfplatform which `isclearly visibleat all'timesand may` be open at the far end, thus. encouraging the animal to pass through without arlypossibledam ger from lurching,

A further object is. to provide a sprayer` which' is quiet in operation thus tending to.v enhance safety to the animal.

Still al further object is tc.- provide a `spray chute which. is economical in'. the use ofuinsectfcide or other materialiusedthe chutebeing auto matin. that is the spray.` nozzles being. in opera;- tion only while the, weight of theanimal' is im posed on a platform of the chute.

An additional object is to provideasplfaychute which is readily portable so that it can be trans-- ported to various parts. of a farm.stock.yard.or the like.

downward movement eiecting the opening of avalve that permits the insecticide underpressure to'pass through various piping elements to one. 'or a plurality of nozzles; for instance located' above and belowthe animal' and at each" ofhisi Asides.

A further additional object is` to' provide; a

fjs'queeze typeV of chute that. insures the' animal 2passingal'ong` substantially the center o f" the 'platform for most effective and" even` spraying' and' without any possibility' of the' animalLbein'g when leavingit.

2`` harmed by contact with. framev e 1 cruentav A.tirait constitute the generalframework of the chute...

With these. and other objectsin View,n ven-tran consists-inthe construction, :arrangement andcombinationof the :various parts of. my spray chutewherebythe. objects contempla-tedare t tai-ned. as hereinafter more Vfully set forth,. pointiednutinmy cla-imsfand. illustrated in the accom-` panying; drawings, wherein;

Figure '1 1. is. at perspective: view `of a .sprayf ,chute embodying my presentii-nvention.

FigureA 2 is an cularged vertical. section. with parts broken away;V throughanA insecticide: tank ofthe chute as takenxomtherline 2.2 of. E igureila Figure 3 is an enlarged. vertical sectionaL-fview on'the line 3-3 ofiFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a. moregreatly enlargeddetaitsec tional. view. on the11ine4-4 o f Figurel.

Figure U is an enlarged.` sectionall yiewi with parts/brokenawanfon theline 5.-5='o;E1.Fig-ure:

Figure: 6` is.A asectional View on-.-the.line:. B-. 6; of Figure. 5 and:

Figure '7: is.- anf enlarged sectional. View onrthe line '1 -IV of Figure 1.

,Oni `theV accompanying, drawings. Ifhave used the. reference numerals i0 and LZtindioatestatiprr-f ary side. trame members which. as showin inl'Eig.- une Bflare channel'shaped in.cross.-section.Y `flhese are.. connected. by cross members: 4I 4.Y andul. atthc rearward and. forward ends: o f. the Ingame,l the cross members extending beyond the frame d' being braced relativev thereto. by elements. l to prevent any. twisting ,of the framev in ahorizo tal plane to a position where the partei are noapropiA erly aligned...

The fra-mani. thechute further include sinf verted ushapedr elements 2.0 formed; of pipeor' steel. tubing with their. lower ends welded. tothe frame vmembers. lil;I l-2.,` I4 and` I6. The end.. ele ments 2U are braced against distortionin vertical planeby slantingA braces 2.1. Theirame member-S29 are connected together, by lbrigitudis nall'y extending tubes or` pipes 2`2having 01,1 1'vel1-V ends 24, the manner of. connection being.. shown.;

inlFi'g'. arid" consistingV of spacer blocks ,2H inten-.- posed between` 2.0 and" 2'2 andlbolts 28 extending through. all three elements to hold'them` assem.`` bled; The spacer blocks arejprovidedwith curved Seats for `tlie vpipes 2 0' and 221. The curvalilelat 2i directs the animal into me mute, the' entry end, being at the` ri'ghtin. Figure. 1i as. indicated' by the arrow so. Likewise arme. exit end .on chute the curve'dl ends. V2'4 prevent the animal harming" himself' by" lurohn'g; agal'Sff .the Chute- For supporting the chute frame on a ground surface or the like, I provide a pair of cross members 32 formed of hardwood and connected with the lower edges of the side frames and |2.

With the frame defined by the elements |0, I2, I4 and I6, I provide a floating platform having side members 34 and 36 connected by means of angle members 38 welded between the channels 34 .and 36. The angles 38 support longitudinally extending planks-40 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto to form a platform on which the animal may walk through the chute. provide traction for the feet of the animal and prevent him from slipping or losing his foothold should he begin to slip while walking along the platform.

For floatingly mounting the platform in relation to the frame of the chute and at the same time maintain its level position, I provide bell cranks 44' each having a projection 46 pivoted at 48 to the frame members I0 and I2 andan offset projection 50 connected with pivot shafts 52-through the platform side members 34 and 36 'as shown in Figure 5. The pivot shafts 52 extend rotatably through hubs 54 welded to the frame members /34 and 36 and their ends are pinned at 56 in hubs 58 welded to the projections 50. The offsets between the projections 50 and 46'f'a're shown at `60 and these are reinforced by gusset plates 62 welded in position.

The upper ends of th bell cranks are connected together by a link 64 at each side of the chute so that Vall four bell cranks are simultaneously movable since they are also connected together by the pivot shafts 52 and the pins 56. This insuesthat the floating platform wi.l rise and fall equally at all points and thus remain level at all times to minimize any frightening effect on the animal passing therealong. crankY arrangement disclosed insures that the amount of vertical movement is always the same at all points of the platform regardless Aof the position on the platform occupied by the animal andthe bracing |8 and 2| insures smooth operation of 'the floating platform.

I`n-order to avoid a step up at the entry end of '1 -the spray chute and a step down at'the lexit endj'thereof ramps 66 and 68 are hinged thereto as @shown in Figure 1 and are provided with cross cleats69. I Y Y Thel spray applying mechanism comprises a` tank lllfmounted on supports 12 which in turn areffsecured lto short pieces of angle 14 'connected to the frame member I0 as shown in Figure 3; A vsuitable insecticide or other treatment liquid 'I6 is adapted to be contained in the tankl'l and-the tank is adapted to receivev gas undfxr pressure from a cylinder 'I8 through a reducing'valve 80; l j

'lhisltends to expel the liquidv through a pipe 2 which leads to a valve 84 from which a pluof other pipes 86 lead to various nozzles 88. These nozzles are distributed circumferen- The bell Cross cleats 42 on the planks 40 4 l the bottom the platform is provided with openings 89 through which the spray is discharged. Only one nozzle 88ashown in Figure l is set in a direction facing the animal in order to reach the forehead and horns. All of the other nozzles are so mounted as to minimize the possibility of the insecticide getting into the eyes, ears, nose and mouth of the animal.

The valve 84 is opened only when the platform is vdepressed by reason of the weight of an animal thereon. The platform is held in the raised position by a spring 90 on each side of the chute and connected with the rear bell crankand with a clip 92 Aon the frame-as shown in Figure 1. The

rdly at an angle as shown in this figure an in'jFigure 1 so as to completely circumscribe the-uianimal and discharge insecticide forwardly at .ianangle against him so as to .enter his hair or ,fur and thus penetrate to l the skin which is parte ularlyidesirable for instance in connection Witjhg-spraying cattle with DDT or the like to prevent flies from bothering them.

For the upwardly directed spray nozzles 88 at engages the operating stem 96 of the valve for opening it. The manner of supporting the pin 94 is as follows: f

An angle 98 is secured to two of the planks 'I0 and projects over the side frame I0 as shown in Figure 4. A vertical tube i I 00 is welded thereto and carries a ycollar |02 welded in its lower end. The rod 94 -is slidable through the collar |02 and through a plug |04 threaded into a boss |06 onthe horizontal flange of the angle 96. A spring |08 is interposed between the collar |02 and a second collar |I0 pinned as at I I2 to the pin 94.

A cam I I4 pivoted at II 6 to the angle 98 engages the upper endof the pin 94 and may be adjusted'by means of a'handle ||8 to extend the pin as shown by solid lines in Figure 4 when the hande is against a stop pin |20. When the handle is swung over to the dotted position then the spring |08 elevates the Apin 94 so that even,

though the platform is depressed the pin will not engage thervalve stem 96. Thus a selecting means is provided for insuring against any spray-V ing actionduring transportation of the chute from one position to another-or if the chute is permanently mounted in a fence the spraying operation can be prevented if it isY desirable to let the animals pass throughthe chute without spraying them.

The valve 84 may be constructed so that it is adjustable as to its degree of opening. Thus when the platform is inits lowermost position shown in Figures `4 and 5 with the frame ele-v ments 34 and 36 thereof resting against the cross members 32 the valve can be opened the desired degree by the pin 94 at its lower limit of movement.

Squeeze chute elements I 26 are provided `ends with the floating platform as by means of slotted straps |28 hinged to the plates |26. A washer |30 under the head of a lag screw |32 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 provides, in conjunction with the slot |34 of the strap, a means for adjusting the angle of the,` squeeze chutes as found desirable to accommodate the sizeof the animals passing through the chute.

The upperr ends of the squeeze plates |26 are supported by inverted U-shaped straps |36 hooked .over two of the tubes 22 in such manner that they can slide up and down in relation thereto. Thus'they do not interfere with the floating' acta-eso actionmf the platform; Ther upper: ends ofL the plates |26 are notched at |38 toclearrtheefran'ie'` elementen.` The squeezeplates |26extend preferably theA full` length of. the chute but have: been broken away in Fig. l to` illustrate other details; Referring toiF-igure `l a support. Mtis provided for; the gas cylinder 'i8` andsecured to its top.

l Surface and. projecting upwardly` therefroml isazcupf-like receiver |42 for the gas cylinder. A

uniontype coupling |44 is provided inthe usual` manner and a shut-off valve |46 is provided in additionto afvblow oif valve |118 Thecylinder it-` self. of. course has. a shut o Valve |50 tobe opened after the'. coupling. |441 is adjusted The tank lll.. has a fillerl plug |52 and where the insecticide passes out to the outletpipe 82 a stand pipe its is provided" as in Figure 2. I=

have` found that. the insecticide '16:- liowsout` .ofthe tank` properly proportioned if'the standv pipe extends about half way the height off theL tank and is provided `with a series of openings |56, |58, |60 and Ita?. graduated in the order namedv from. about one-eighth inch to one-sixteenth inch in diameter, the largest opening |56 being one-half wayth'ev height of the stand pipe and the smaller openings distributed `above and below the large ones.

By using` a compressed gas `cylinder as the means to produce pressure on the insecticide the spray chute is readily portable as it requires no source of power such as an electric currentifor operating a compressor and the operation is. relatively quiet so as not to, disturbV the animals...

Practical OperationV i In order to prepare forthe operation of: the cattle chute the tank 'i0 is lled through the filler plug |52 to within about one inch of the top with the proper insecticide solution. The filler cap is replaced and tightened to prevent any leakage of gas. The cylinder 18 charged with CO2 or any suitable gas under pressure is then placed in the holder |42 and the pressure regulator 86 is connected with the gas cylinder by the union |44.

The blow-off valve |48 is closed (the pipe |49 extending therefrom terminating inside the tank I0 adjacent the top thereof as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3) and the valves l and |46 are opened to permit the gas to ilow into the tank 'l0 for tending to discharge the insecticide 16 therefrom. The regulator 8|] is set for the correct pressure (usually about to 30 p. s. i.).

The chute is now ready for operation. The cattle are driven through the chute and when they step on the oating platform the valve 84 is opened as in Figure 4 forcing the pressurized insecticide solution through the piping 86 and from the nozzles 38. As soon as the animal leaves the oating platform it returns upwardly to its original position as shown in Figure 3 which of course permits the valve 8d to reclose. Accordingly the spraying operation is continued only while the animal is on the platform which kieps the consumption of insecticide at a minimum.

When the tank 7G is to be re-filled, the valve |46 is closed and the blow-off valve |48 is opened to release all the gas from the tank. The filler cap |52 may then be safely removed, the tank re filled and spraying operation can then be continued as long as there is suliicient pressure in the cylinder i8 to dispense the liquid 16 from the nozzle and 88a.

,Ihe squeeze chute arrangement insures that ther animals-twill passi through: the chuteA with# out.'` attempting toturn around, and" willirpass; alongthecenterof theplatform so as to minimize any possibilityN of binding and improper opera.-` tion.. All parts. of: the chute are rounded where' they might contact withthe animal andl the nozzles 8B are set so that they do not project; in` such manner' as` to harm the animal' or be: bent: or broken by contact of the animal there,l with. Where the nozzles are located'back ofthe squeeze.. plates |26, openings |21 (see Fig...3) are provided in alignment with the nozzles when they arelowered and those nozzles,` which are, directed upwardly can spray/"through: the. platform by reason of openingsA '89 (see bottomof. Eig. 3) therein.

Achute ofthe character disclosed prevents loss:V

ofV` animals from4 damage. to.l them during the: spraying actioneven when a herd of considerable size tends to'. cause. the. animals, dueV to the Venturi. action at the entry end of the chute;` to rush through the chute when they reach it..

Some changes may` be made in the construe` tion. and arrangement of the parts of my device. without.A departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modied forms ofstructure or use of'mechanical equivalents which may'A be reasonably included' within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

l. An. automatic animal spray chute compris-- ing vertically spaced, longitudinally extending sideI rails having diyerging ends, a. platform, each end of said chute beingA open and unob" structed for the free through-passage of animals, ramps leading to the ends of said plat'- form, said platform being movably mounted,

means to normally bias the platform to a raised position whereby the Weight of an animal thereon will move said platform against said bias, spray nozzles for spraying an animal only when on said platform, said nozzles being directed angularly in the direction of travel of the animals through said spray chute and the nozzles first encountered by the animal being spaced a substantial distance from the entry end of said chute, a source of insecticide under pressure in communication with said nozzles, a valve for controlling the ilow of insecticide from said source of pressure to said means, said valve being normally closed, and said platform being operatively connected therewith to open the same when said platform is so moved downwardly against said bias by the weight of an animal thereon.

2. In an automatic animal spray chute, a floating platform, means adjacent the sides thereof and` oating therewith for constraining an animal to travel along substantially the center of said platform, both ends of the chute being open for free and unobstructed travel of animals along said platform, a plurality of nozzles located adjacent the sides of the platform for directing a spray liquid in a forward and inward direction on to an animal as its passes along the platform, the first of said nozzles being substantially spaced from the entry end of said chute, a source of liquid, means for supplying liquid under pressure from said source to said nozzles, a valve for controlling the flow of liquid, said platform being mounted for depressive movement when weight is imposed thereon and being operatively connected with said valve to open the same when so depressed.

3. In an animal spray chute, a frame, a oatin'gplatform, squeeze plates adjacentthe sides of said frame and hinged at their lower edges to said platform for `constraining an animal to travel along substantially the center of said platform, the upper edges of saidsqueeze plates beingVV mounted for vertical oating movement relative Y to said frame, both ends of the chute being open for free travel of the animal, a plurality of nozzles located adjacent the sides ofthe platform for directing a spray liquid onto the animal, and means operated by said platform 8 control valve to open the same when the platform. is depressed.

5. In a spray chute for animals or the like, `a tunnel-likev passage, a platform for the bottom ofsaid passage, said platform being mounted for vertical movement in relationY to said passage when an animal is thereon for supplying in' secticide under pressure to said nozzles.

4.' In an automatic spray chute for animals andthe like, a vtunnel-like open framework, a platform for the bottom of said frame-work, said platform being 'mounted for vertical move- `ment in relation to said frame-work and spring mounted whereby a weight thereon depresses the same, a plurality of nozzles along the sides and top of said frame-work and directed angularly forwardly with relation to the movement of an animal through said frame-work, nozzles beneath said platform and also directed angularly forwardly, said nozzles being spaced a substantial distance from the entry end of said chute to insure that an animal is well within the chute before the spray strikes him, said platform being open adjacent said last nozzles to permit the unobstructed spray of liquid therefrom, a source of liquid communicating with said nozzles, compressed gas imposed on the liquid to place it under pressure, a normally closed control valve interposed between said source and said nozzles, and means projecting l from said platform and engageableV with said and spring mounted whereby a weight thereon depresses the same, a plurality of nozzles along the sides and top of said passage, a source of liquid communicating with said nozzles, a control valve interposed between said source and said nozzles, means projecting from said platform and engageable with said control valve to open the same when the platform is depressed, and upwardly and outwardly sloping baille plates along the sides of said passage for confining an animal passing therealong to substantially the central portion of said platform whereby to effectv substantially the equal spraying of the animal from all sides, said baiie plates resting on said platform and being ioatingly mounted in relation to Vsaid passage.

ANDREW S. KNAPP.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofY this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 30 Number Name Date y876,631 Goff Jan. 14, 1908 902,638 Allison MNov. 3, 1908 1,133,901 Winslow Mar. 30, 1915 1,273,311 Barnes July 23, 1918 5 1,522,426 Durham Jan.'6, 1925 1,696,460 Teyen et al Dec. 25, 1928 

